Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Lauritz Nelson

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Long Island National
Cemetery
DSS-20-A

Born:March 26, 1860 at Norway

Entered
Service in the US Navy from

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Spanish-American War
For heroism May 11, 1898 at Cienfuegos, Cuba

Died:September
19, 1941 at the age of 81

Lauritz Nelson
was one of 52 sailors and Marines cited for bravery and coolness
in the face of enemy fire during the cutting of cables at
Cienfuegos, Cuba on 11 May 1898. The mission was a daring
operation to cut undersea cables linking the Spanish
fortifications at Cienfuegos with the rest of the world.
Destruction of the cables was ordered to disrupt communications.
In two boats, sailors from the USS Nashville and the USS
Marblehead were joined by a Marine guard as they moved within 15
feet of the enemy shore, under fire from the hidden enemy, to
dredge up and cut two such cables. During the 80 minute
operation, the cable cutting party was under constant enemy fire
from a short range, while they coolly dredged the cables across
the bow of their boats, then cut through them with hacksaws.
When a cable was severed, the seaward end was transported back
to the USS Marblehead, which then moved further from shore to
drop the ends in deeper water and make repair impossible. So
intense was the enemy presence, and so daring the American
support, Captain Maynard of the Nashville was wounded in the
action. With great courage, the mission was accomplished.